New map shows the London boroughs with the lowest MMR vaccine uptake in children

One child has already died of measles, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), with 2,465 lab-confirmed cases as of September 9
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


A new map shows the London boroughs with the lowest uptake of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) jab, amid concerns fewer parents are vaccinating their children.

It comes as England undergoes its worst outbreak of measles in over a decade. One child has already died, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), with 2,465 lab-confirmed cases of measles as of September 9, compared to just 362 cases last year.

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The UKHSA has partially attributed the rise in measles this year to a drop in MMR vaccines. The latest data from NHS England shows around 91.9 per cent of five-year-olds had received one dose of MMR, while just 83.9 per cent had received both doses. This is the lowest figure since 2010.

NHS England statistics show no council in England hit the target vaccine figure of 95 per cent - the number required to achieve herd immunity, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) - of children by their fifth birthday, for the third consecutive year.

London suffered the lowest rates across the country, with Hackney at the bottom of the pile at 60.8 per cent - meaning three in 10 children have not received both jabs by the age of five. The figure was even worse in 2022-23, standing at 56.3 per cent.

View the interactive map below:

The best-performing council was Cumbria, which attained a vaccination rate of 94.8 per cent, with the East Riding of Yorkshire in second place at 94.5 per cent, and thirdly, County Durham with 94.2 per cent. There was a lower uptake among all each the main vaccines this year, with the biggest drop in the Hib/MenC vaccine which guards against against Haemophilus influenzae type B and meningitis C.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist, said: "As a mum and doctor, I know the additional stress that comes with having a sick child. I encourage all parents to take up the offer of vaccinations for their children at the right time, to give them the best protection from preventable diseases.

"Childhood vaccines prevent babies and children from suffering needlessly and can even be life-saving. And importantly vaccination is also about not spreading the disease to others who may be more vulnerable. It only takes one case of measles to get into a school or nursery where many children are unprotected for numbers to suddenly surge.

"It’s never too late to catch up. If you’re not sure if your child is up to date with all their vaccines, check their Red Book or contact your GP practice, who can book an appointment if needed. Don’t put it off, please act today."

Parents are urged to contact their GPs if they are not up-to-date with their children’s vaccinations amid worries that falling vaccine rates will mean diseases like measles and whooping cough will skyrocket as children head back to school. The NHS estimates around 5,000 deaths and 100,000 hospital admissions are prevented each year thanks to vaccines.

Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccinations and screening, added: "Too many children are still not fully vaccinated against diseases like measles and whooping cough, which can cause serious illness and are preventable.

"Vaccinations have been protecting children for decades and are offered free as part of the NHS routine immunisation programme, saving thousands of lives and preventing tens of thousands of hospital admissions every year. We would advise parents to urgently check their child’s vaccination records and ensure they’re protected from becoming seriously unwell."

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